The tigresses are coming

The BFA has revealed the full agenda, headline speakers and an exclusive new after party for EWIB 2026, taking place at the Leicester Tigers’ stadium on 20 May 2026. EWIF collaboration
Earlier this year, the BFA announced they were collaborating with the EWIF (Encouraging Women in Franchising) Awards, with the two organisations coming together for the first time to hold their events on the same day, to reduce costs and time out of office for attendees.

The full agenda has now been revealed for the regularly sold-out EWIB event, that has been bringing women from the franchising sector together to network, learn and grow since 2013.
Agenda revealed The full day agenda is packed with sessions designed to challenge, inspire and send delegates home with practical tools they can use immediately. Highlights include ‘Leadership, Legacy, Impact’, an exercise in defining what truly drives you; ‘Seven Minute Stories’, where a panel of women share the pivotal moments that shaped their businesses; a practical session on turning ambition into action; and a group discussion on how the most successful women in franchising lift others as they climb.

Captive Audience
Psychotherapist and broadcaster Lucy Beresford will deliver her talk ‘The Psychology of Relationships at Work’, giving delegates key insights into understanding behaviour, improving communication and creating healthier, more productive working relationships. Former hostage negotiator Suzanne Williams QPM will explore ‘Influencing When it Matters Most: Key Lessons from a Hostage Negotiator’, covering the power of active listening, building trust quickly
and making effective decisions when the stakes are high.

New* EWIF Awards
Following the final speaker, guests will be treated to an early supper and complimentary drink as
they network with fellow guests before the 2026 EWiF Awards. The EWiF Awards at 6.30pm will celebrate the achievements of women across a host of categories from New Woman Franchisor of the Year to Inspirational Woman in Franchising of the Year.

New* After Party
In a first for EWIB, there will be an exclusive after party, hosted by Elite Franchise and BusinessesForSale.com. The party, to be held at a nearby venue, will give attendees and award
winners complimentary food and drinks and the chance to relax and celebrate after a long day.

Proud to support
Jodie Marsh, Commercial Director at Elite Franchise, said: “We feel very proud to be supporting such an incredible initiative for women in the industry and those coming into it. The After Party adds an additional dimension to EWIB and EWIF; we love celebrating and networking with the best in franchising, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

Diversity and Inclusion
Saleem Anwar, COO at BusinessesForSale.com, added: “Franchising inherently promotes diversity, inclusion and access to people who may not be able to get into business through other routes and EWIB and EWIF are spiritually linked to that mission. The After Party feels like a natural next step and a wonderful extension of the day. We’re very much looking forward to doing more in this space.”

‘Life changing’
Pip Wilkins QFP, CEO of the BFA said: “My enormous thanks to all our headline sponsors,
McDonald’s Restaurants, HSBC UK, Platinum Wave & Morton Michel, who make it possible for us to bring EWIB to the female franchising community. Year after year we receive phenomenal feedback after the event, with delegates using words like ‘life changing’ to describe the effect it had on them and their businesses. 2026 is really taking things up a gear. Not only will we have the EWIF awards for the first time but the new after party will give everyone a chance to relax after a long day, to truly celebrate the lessons learned, the awards won and the relationships built at what we are sure will be, our best ever EWIB event to date.”

EWIB 2026 looks set to be one of the most impactful editions to date, combining a thoughtfully curated agenda with meaningful opportunities for connection, recognition and celebration. By bringing together the EWIB event and the EWIF Awards for the first time, the BFA has created a more streamlined and valuable experience for attendees, reflecting a clear understanding of the demands on modern professionals’ time. The addition of an after party further strengthens the event’s community focus, offering a relaxed space to deepen relationships formed throughout the day.

Crucially, the programme goes beyond inspiration alone. With sessions designed to deliver practical tools, alongside insights from experts in psychology and high-stakes negotiation, delegates will leave not only motivated but better equipped to navigate the realities of business and leadership. The emphasis on collaboration, storytelling and shared experience reinforces the core purpose of EWIB: to support, elevate and connect women across the franchising sector.

As the event continues to evolve, its growing scale and ambition underline its importance within the industry. For many, EWIB is more than just a conference – it is a catalyst for growth, confidence and long-term success.

Tickets to EWIB and EWIF are available from here.